Massive screen, recliners coming to Owensboro Malco

Malco Theaters has confirmed details on the company’s new movie theater in Gateway Commons.

According to Malco Senior Vice President of Theater Operations and Construction David Tashie, the new building with feature 14 theaters, one of which will be a large format auditorium. Tashie says it is not IMAX, but Malco’s own proprietary large format screen called Malco Extreme Theater (MXT), which he says is “on par” with IMAX. The theater will be one of the largest screens Malco has built and will be fully equipped with immersive sound.

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Photo by AP Imagery

Tashie said the new theater will offer recliner seating, which he said is electrically operated and fully motorized. Moviegoers will also have a full grill and bar (beer, wine and mixed drinks) menu available. Owensboro Times found this Malco Grill menu on the theater’s website. Tashie also said delivery food service will be available, where menu items will be brought to customers by Malco employees.

Customers can expect reserved seating with ticket purchase. This means moviegoers will be able to pick out a specific seat when they buy their admission ticket.

Tashie said Owensboro has been a very special market to the company and Malco is looking forward to opening their “state-of-the-art” theater. Although the company hoped to have the Gateway Commons location open by the holidays, Tashie said to expect a grand opening in early 2019.

“There are a lot of moving parts,” Tashie said. “We want to get it right.”

The Frederica Street theater will remain open until construction is complete on the new theater.

“The city of Owensboro will be proud of this new theater,” Tashie said. “It will be a very special destination theater.”

Ashley Sorce is a WKU journalism graduate, editor of Owensboro Parent Magazine and Managing Editor of Owensboro Times. Born and raised in Owensboro, Ashley loves all things OBKY, especially raising her two kids in her hometown.